Eventing season has a way of sneaking up on you, as we all know. If you're based in the UAE and planning to compete under national rules this season, the paperwork side of things deserves just as much attention as the fitness side. A horse that's ready to jump but not ready on paper simply won't be allowed to start.

Our goal is to help you NOT get yelled at by a steward 32 seconds before you leave the warmup for your round.

Before you start entering shows, work through the following. Sorting these early means one less thing standing between your prepared horse and the start box.

No Objection Certificate (NOC)

• Request an NOC from your home federation, which states that they don't have any objection to you competing in the UAE

• Start this process as soon as you know you intend to compete, since processing can take days or weeks depending on the home federation

• Confirm the NOC has been received and filed with the UAE federation well before your first entry deadline

Registration

• Confirm your horse's registration status with the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation and renew early if needed

• Upload your NOC

• Pay the required fees for both the horse and rider registration

Check Vaccination Records Before the Season Starts

• Confirm your horse's equine influenza vaccination is current, which is always good to have up to date

• If entering FEI competitions specifically, confirm the booster falls within six months and twenty one days of the competition or entry to the FEI stables

• Log all vaccinations in the FEI HorseApp if competing under FEI rules

• For horses new to FEI competition, confirm the primary course of three vaccinations has been completed before relying on boosters

Veterinary and Farrier Checks for Good Measure

• Book a pre-season soundness check rather than waiting for a niggle to appear

• Schedule a hoof balance and shoeing check ahead of increased workload

General Documentation Organization

• Keep ownership documents, passports, and vaccination records together in one place

• Photocopy or digitally back up key documents in case originals are needed at short notice

Know How UAEERF Rules and FEI Rules Fit Together

It helps to understand how the two rulebooks relate before you dive into the paperwork. UAEERF runs its own national rules for Arena Eventing, Hunter Trials, and Eventing, and these follow the FEI rules in principle, with annexes added for competitions held nationally in the UAE. In practice, this means the FEI rulebook is the baseline, and UAEERF's version adapts it for the local competition structure, such as national class heights, dressage tests, and scoring at Novice, Intermediate, and Open levels.

The responsibility sits with the athlete to stay current on both sets of rules, not just one. UAEERF updates its national rules each season, so a document from a previous year won't necessarily reflect this year's class heights, speeds, or dressage tests, even if the general structure stays similar. The FEI rulebook itself is also revised periodically, most recently with updates to the Eventing rules. Checking both the current UAEERF Eventing rules on their national eventing page and the latest FEI Eventing Rules before the season starts is the safest way to avoid a surprise at the in-gate over something like a whip length, a spur type, or a dressage test that's changed.

October Is Not Cool Yet, So Plan Accordingly

It is easy to look at the calendar and assume the worst of summer is behind us. In reality, October in the UAE still brings daytime temperatures well into the mid to high 30s, with humidity that makes the heat feel even more intense. Horses are still dealing with heat stress, and their bodies have not fully adjusted to harder work in these conditions, which is worth keeping in mind as you plan the weeks ahead.

Getting Your Horse Physically Ready

Paperwork aside, fitness matters just as much. Reduced turnout and lighter training over summer bring a real drop in cardiovascular fitness, muscle tone, and tendon and ligament resilience, so treat the first few weeks of autumn as the start of a new fitness build rather than a return to normal.

A few principles worth borrowing from European yards, where horses go through a similar seasonal restart after winter:

• Build aerobic fitness first, through hacking, hill work, and steady trot sets, before adding intensity

• Give tendons, ligaments, and joints time to adapt, since they strengthen more slowly than cardiovascular fitness

• Track heart rate recovery after exercise as a simple, objective measure of true fitness

• Increase hydration support and electrolytes as work increases, before the horse shows signs of struggling

• Ride in the cooler hours, early morning or late evening, and adjust intensity to the heat and humidity rather than the calendar

Riders benefit from the same patience. A deconditioned rider affects a horse's way of going too, so give yourself the same graduated return to fitness.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get an NOC? It depends on your home federation, but it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Request it as soon as you know you intend to compete in the UAE, rather than waiting until closer to your first entry.

Is an equine influenza vaccination enough, or do I need other vaccines too? Equine influenza is the vaccine that gets checked at the gate, but many vets also recommend vaccinating against equine herpesvirus. Ask your vet what makes sense for your horse based on age, travel history, and exposure risk. You only need vaccination records if you plan to be FEI registered.

What is the difference between national and FEI vaccination requirements? National level shows run through the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation generally require a current equine influenza vaccination, checked against the horse's passport. FEI competitions are more specific, requiring a booster within six months and twenty one days of the event and digital logging in the FEI HorseApp.

How soon before the season should I start my horse's fitness program? Ideally six to eight weeks, depending on how much work the horse has had over summer. This allows time to build an aerobic base before adding any real intensity, which reduces the risk of early season injury.

Can I still ride during the hottest part of the day in October? It is best avoided where possible. Early morning or evening sessions are safer and more productive, since horses recover and perform better once the heat of the day has passed.